"I am looking forward to continuing to expand SNR Denton's relationship with the greater Washington community," Fried said in an interview. "First and foremost is to do whatever I can to assist my colleagues and better serve clients."

Washington, Fried said, is central to much of the international finance work the firm does. And as issues like health care and energy become increasingly global concerns, having an international presence is key.

"The firm has a substantial footprint and there is no city in the world more important to the international community than Washington," Fried said.